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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 141810

Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School

Academy converter · Shaftesbury · SP7 8PZ

Ages 4–11 · 333 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

KS2 expected (RWM)

40%

Overall absence

5.6%

Admissions demand

1.00 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-06-02

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)40%
Higher standard (RWM)0%
Avg scaled score — reading
101.0
Avg scaled score — maths
99.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
102.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence5.6%
Persistent absence (10%+)16.3%
Unauthorised1.4%
Authorised absence
4.2%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.0%
Enrolments in measure
313

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.00 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

35

Places offered

35

1st-preference offers

35

Total preferences (any rank)
53
Preferred offers (top 3)
35
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill79%

333 pupils · 420 places

Pupils on roll
333
Boys / girls
166 / 167
School capacity
420
Capacity fill
333 / 420 (79%)
Free school meals
24.3%
FSM pupils
81
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 4–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of Salisbury
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: SHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST
Academy trust
SHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST
Headteacher
Mr Matthew Barge

Location

Address
Wincombe Lane
Postcode
SP7 8PZ
Town
Shaftesbury
County
Dorset
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
North Dorset
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Further from a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (primary), Ages 4–11, in Shaftesbury, Dorset, 333 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 24.3%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of Salisbury.

Open schools in Shaftesbury
9
Primary schools in Shaftesbury
6
Academies among open schools in Shaftesbury
56% (5)
Open schools in SP7
9
Primary in SP7
6
Open schools in Dorset LA
184
Primary in Dorset LA
119

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in ShaftesburyNear SP7

  • Motcombe CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Shaftesbury · SP7 9NT · Dorset

    Ages 4–11

    • KS232%
    • Absence5.4%
    • FSM16.4%
    • Demand1.00

    1.8 miles away

  • Ludwell Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Shaftesbury · SP7 9ND · Wiltshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS236%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM16.9%
    • Demand1.00

    2.3 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Matthew Barge
Telephone
01747852901
Website
https://www.shaftesburyprimary.co.uk/

Official links